14th EASN International Conference

On 8-11 October, our partner Fraunhofer IFAM attended the prestigious 14th EASN International Conference in Thessaloniki, Greece. The event, themed “Innovation in Aviation & Space towards Sustainability Today & Tomorrow,” brought together experts from the aviation and space industries. A key focus of the conference was the transition from fossil fuels to sustainable energy sources and the development of innovative propulsion systems and materials.

Discussions were marked by a highly interdisciplinary approach, exploring cutting-edge topics such as:

• Topology optimization, material development, and construction

• Advanced engine technologies

• Economic efficiency, logistics, and life cycle analyses

During the conference, Jan-Marten Sprenger from Fraunhofer IFAM delivered a presentation titled “End to End Sustainable Aircraft Development and Production”, emphasising the sustainable development and selection of innovative bio-based polymers for manufacturing composite materials in aviation. The presentation sparked fruitful discussions, particularly around material development and the proactive methodologies used for sustainability assessments.

Beyond the technical sessions, Fraunhofer IFAM seized the opportunity to establish valuable connections with scientists, researchers, and industry representatives from across Europe.

This enriching event provided deep insights into sustainable aviation practices and innovative solutions that will be instrumental in the ongoing development of the FOREST project.